Bernadette Stanko

13 Bridges. Here We Go Again.

In 2025, I walked the 13 Bridge Challenge in memory of my stepbrother David.

It was one of those days that stays with you.

I remember standing at the start line in London, Grenadier flag in hand, a healthy breakfast in my belly, feeling strong and determined! 

It wasn’t easy. 

10.5 miles.

13 bridges.

Blazing heat.

Hundreds (and hundreds!) of steps.

I finished in just under four hours. My knees were shouting by the end — osteoarthritis is no joke — but my heart was full. I wore my Grenadier flag like a superhero cape and was overwhelmed by the supportive comments along the route. People noticed. People cared. It mattered.

I crossed that finish line achy and proud.

And now… it’s 2026.

I’ve signed up to do it all over again.

I won’t be walking alone. Ince again I’m joining a brilliant bunch of Army Mums — strong, resilient, supportive women who understand what it means to show up, dig deep, and keep going when it’s tough.

We have four months to prepare. Four months to train. Four months to fundraise.

Why do it again?

Because grief doesn’t disappear after one event.

Because remembrance deserves more than one day.

Because community makes hard things lighter.

Because last year proved that even with painful knees and soaring temperatures, I am capable of more than I sometimes believe.

And because David is still worth walking for.

So yes — I’m lacing up again.

I’ll be training carefully (my knees and I have already had a chat). I’ll be fundraising with heart. And I’ll probably still find something ridiculous along the route to laugh about.

If you supported me last year — thank you. Truly.

If you’d like to support again, I’d be so grateful.

If you can’t donate, cheering us on and sharing the page means just as much.

Here’s to 13 bridges.

Here’s to resilience.

Here’s to love that keeps moving forward.

And here’s to doing hard things — together.